Leveling device



Jan. 17, 1933. HUTCHENS 1,894,870

LEVELING DEVICE Filed March 4, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1:; i I g N I g Q 2 5; I

a a w u k TEE D (g Q o 1 1 W9" Z i k3 Eda/0111A Hula/Lem INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Jan. 17, 1933. E. A. HUTCHENS LEVELING DEVICE Filed March 4, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIA INVENTOR r.

ATTORNEYS BY mg Patented Jan. 17, 1933 PATENT V i EDWARD A. HUTGHENS, OF LA GRANDE, OREGON, ASSIGNOR F ONE-HALF T0 MELVIN G. HUTCHENS, OF BAKER, OREGON LEVELING DEVICE Application filed March 4, 1931.

My present invention has reference to a new and novel device for leveling and sighting drain and sewer tile, and my object is the provision of a simple device for this purpose [.5 whereby the tile sections can be laid at the proper angle or inclination and likewise in longitudinal alinement in an easy, simple and expeditious manner.

A further object is the provision of a device for this purpose in which the level stock is removably secured to the nose end of a handle that has adjustably fixed thereon the shank of a hook, the nose of the handle and the hook engaging with the inner and outer surfaces at the end of the stock, permitting the stock to freely rest on the tile, the said stock having therein an adjustable bubble glass whereby the desired inclination of the tile is ascertained, the shank of the hook having associated therewith a sight to permit the operators properly alining the tile sections.

A still further object is the provision of .a device for this purpose in which the level stock is removably associated with the remainder of the construction so that the level can be used for other purposes when desired. To the attainment of the foregoing and .other objects which will present themselves as the nature of the invention is better understood the invention consists in the improvement hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improvement.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof showing the same in operation, a portion of the tile being in section.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the level stock approximately on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4: is a plan view of a portion of a level stock with the top plate removed.

Figure 5 is a sectional view approximately on the line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view approximately on the line 66 of Figure .2.

The handle 1 of the improvement, in the showing of the drawings, comprises a plate Serial No. 520,166.

which is centrally rounded upon itself, as at 2, and which has arranged between the parallel sides or arms thereof a spacer element 3. Around the sides and the spacer element there is wound a wire wrapping 4. The parallel spaced members of the handle have their ends opposite the connecting rounded portion 2 extended at downward angles to provide the handle with a nose portion 5. Obviously the handle may be constructed differently from that disclosed by the drawings.

Between the spaced sides of the handle there is arranged a fiat shank 5 provided with a series of spaced longitudinally arranged openings 6 and having one of its jaws offset in the direction of the nose 5 to provide the same with a hook 7 and the active face of the hook is straight and preferably toothed, as at 8. The second and upper end of the shank has fixed thereon a sight tube 9. There is passed between the spaced arms of the handle and received through one of the openings 6 a short bolt 10 which is engaged by a nut. The shank may be adjusted so that the jaw end thereof will be disposed a proper distance away from the rounded outer end of the nose 5 of the handle to permit of the said nose and jaw properly gripping a drain or sewer tile 11 therebetween.

Spacer elements hold the nose end of the handle properly spaced, and a guide pin 12 passes through the side members of the handle and contacts with one of the edges of the shank 5 for holding the shank at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal plane of the handle, the guide pin being positioned in a line with the removable pivot 10.

The numeral 13 designates a level stock. The stock, at one of the ends thereof, is centrally provided with an extension in the nature of an ear 14. In the showing of the drawings the ear 14 is provided by lapping plates which are suitably connected and which are bent outwardly and continued in parallelism along the sides of the stock 13 and secured thereto.

The car 14 has a pivot opening therethrough. The ear is designed to be received in the nose and to be removably pivoted thereto by means 15. The means is preferably with respect to the active rounded end of the nose 5.

The stock 13, adjacent to the end thereof provided with the ear or lug 14 is grooved or channeled to provide the same with a longitudinally arranged pocket 16. Pivotally secured in one end of the pocket there is a bed plate 17 for a bubble glass 18, the bubble in the glass being visible through an opening in the top plate 19 for thestock. Thebedisprovided with a suitable depression or pocket for the bubble glass and the bubble glass may he se cured in the pocket by wire bands, cement or the like. 7 x

There is passed through an opening in the plate 19 the shank of a bolt member 20, the said bolt passing through an opening in the bed plate17 and threadedly engaging'a nut 21 which is heldfrom turning by lugs or fingers 22 that depend from the bed plate. Surrounding the bolt and exerting a pressure between the top plate 19 of the stock and the upper face of the bed plate 16 there is a coil pressure spring 23.

The stock is provided, on its outer face, with a stationary level bubble glass 24.- and with angularly arranged spaced level bub ble glasses 25 which are in the nature of slope bubble glasses and with a plumb bubble glass 26 which is arranged transversely with respect to the bubble glasses 18, 24 and 25 and which is visible through the sides of the stock. The bubble in the glass 26 is, of course, not visible until the stock is held in a vertical position.

In, operation the handle and the jaw 7 engage with the tile, as disclosed by Figure 2 of the drawings. This permits the operators properly handling the tile from the outer end thereof. The grade lever bubble 18is adjusted by regulating the bolt 20 so that the operator can ascertain the proper inclination of the tile when the level stock rests thereon. It is to be noted that the contacting engagement of the nose 5 of the jaw 7 in no way influences the level stock. When the bubble in the grade level is in proper position the operator still gripping the handle may remove dirt from beneath the tile or pack dirt under the tile so that the tile is held in the proper'inclination. The operator, glancing through the sight 9 will note the position of the tile with respect to the remaining tiles and shift the same to bring the said tile in proper longitudinal alinement with the remaining tiles. The device affords no strain whatever upon the level so that the said level freely rests on the tile and thereby assures perfect accuracy at all times. The pivot bolt 15 (which may be in the nature of a cotter pin) permits of the removal of the level from the handle and hook or jaw 7 and the adjusting bolt 20 will 1101a the bed and the level I board 10 feet long. The board is named from one of its endsone-tenth the heighth of the fall should the same be 100 feet. Thelevel is then placed on the straight edge and by adjusting the screw or bolt 20 the grade level glass is adjusted until the bubble therein is at the point to indicate a level. The grade level bubble when once adjusted needs no more attention during the laying of the entire sewer or drain.

The stationary level may be used for any purpose as other levels are employed, as may the level 18. These levels are, of course, employed only after the stock is removed from the nose 5. The slope levels are employed principally in the construction of highways in determining theslope of shoulders and open ditches, and are for no other purpose,

and it is thought that the foregoing description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings will fullyand clearly set forth the construction and advantages of the improvement and while I haveillustrated a.

satisfactoryv embodiment my features of invention are capable of extended application and I do not wish to be limited to the specific structure herein shown and described.

1. A device for the purpose set forth, including a handle having a nose end, a shank adjustably secured to the handle and having a hook portion disposed below the nose, a level stock having an car which is pivotally secured to the nose, and an adjustable grade Having described the invention, I claim: 9 

